Headache Causes and Treatment: What You Should Know

Most people are familiar with the occasional unpleasantness of headache pain. But for some individuals, headache pain can be a chronic problem. As many as 1 in 25 people in the United States experience headache at least 15 days each month. Women are more likely to experience migraines and chronic tension-type headaches, while men are five times more likely to have cluster headaches. Identifying headache causes and which type of headache you have can help you and your doctor plan a headache treatment.

The Different Types of Headaches

The first step in your headache treatment is to identify what type of headache you have. The most common type of headache, a tension-type, is characterized by band-like pressure. Hormone headaches can happen either before or during a woman's period and can become more frequent as women approach menopause. Burning and throbbing cluster headaches are the least common, and the headache causes are unknown. Migraines are severe headaches often associated with other symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting.

The Allergy-Migraine Connection

Another category of suspected headache causes is environmental and food allergies. Allergic sinusitis, or inflammation of the sinuses caused by an allergy to pollen, mold, or dust, has been linked to migraines. Doctors suspect that migraines might be related to histamine, a compound that is released by the body during an allergic reaction, causing itching and sneezing. Though some foods such as caffeine and chocolate are known triggers, a link between headache causes and food allergies has yet to be proven.

Common Chronic Headache Causes

Chronic tension-type headaches can be triggered by depression, anxiety, or changes in sleep patterns. Some common causes of migraines, a type of headache that can be chronic, include stress, caffeine, fatigue, sleep disruptions, noise, bright lights, and hormonal fluctuations. Smoking, alcohol, and histamine are common triggers of cluster headaches. No matter which type of headache you have, knowing your own individual headache causes is an important part of headache treatment and prevention of symptoms.

Medications as Headache Treatment and Prevention

When it comes to headache treatment, medications are used to either prevent symptoms or to provide relief. To prevent tension-type headaches, your doctor may recommend NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as naproxen, or antidepressant SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). To treat symptoms, you may also be prescribed NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or muscle relaxants. For migraines, doctors may try beta blockers and anti-seizure medications for prevention and triptans for treatment of symptoms.

Headache Treatment Can Include Herbal Remedies

You may want to consider alternatives for headache treatment, though check with your doctor first. One promising headache treatment is the flower feverfew, which may reduce migraine pain. Another, white willow bark, may be a better alternative if you experience stomach irritation from pain relievers. Black cohosh, often used to treat hot flashes, is a potential headache treatment for hormone migraines. Passionflower has long been used to reduce anxiety, but there is little evidence that it may help headaches.

Headache Treatment Through Exercise

Exercise can reduce stress, which sits at the top of the list of headache causes. Regular exercise that isn't too strenuous, such as walking or swimming, can help reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. Since many people who have migraines find that their pain is exacerbated by even simple movements, it's best to start slow. Bike riding and water aerobics are excellent exercises for people who have migraines. But avoid high-impact workouts, such as running or kickboxing, as they may trigger headaches.

You Should Keep a Headache Diary

Writing down details of headache episodes is a crucial part of headache treatment. By identifying what kind of headache you have and what your triggers are, you can have a better understanding of headache causes and how to prevent and treat symptoms. When an attack occurs, write down key details such as the time and date it began, what you ate 24 hours before, how much sleep you got the night before, and how long the headache lasted.

3 Ways to Handle Headaches at Work

Dealing with headaches at work can be particularly challenging. But there are steps you can take to control headache causes. First, take a pain medication recommended by your doctor at the first sign of a headache. Second, drink plenty of water. Finally, make sure you do what you can to keep stress at bay. Talk to your supervisor about cutting back on work when headaches hit. Take regular breaks and walk outside, even if it's just for a few minutes.

Depression and Headaches Go Hand in Hand

When it comes to depression and headache causes, determining cause and effect can be a bit like the riddle about the chicken or the egg. People who have depression can experience physiological changes that can lead to headaches. In turn, chronic headaches can lead to depression. One way to tell if depression is at the root of your headache causes is by keeping track of when symptoms hit. If it's during certain periods of stress, then depression may be the trigger.

Massage Makes a Great Gift

An important part of headache management and headache treatment can be therapeutic activities and alternative remedies. Yoga, massage, self-help relaxation techniques, physical therapy, or gardening have all shown promise in relieving or preventing headache causes and symptoms. If you or someone you love experiences chronic headaches, give a relaxation-inspired gift, like yoga sessions or gardening tools, that can reduce stress — and possibly ward off the next headache.

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